Joshua 2:11-15Surprise surprise, another chiasm... A Israel embraced other gods [11-13] B The anger of the Lord burned [14-15] C Judges raised up but they didn’t listen to them [16-17] C’ Judges died off and they went back to sinful ways [19] B’ The anger of the Lord burned [20]A God gave them other gods to worship [21-22]“They did evil in the sight of the Lord”·The Bible does not allow us to gloss over our sins or “pretty them up” as we so often do. Sin is called evil to pinpoint how heinous it really is. They are not “shortcomings” or foibles, or faux pas. They are detestably wicked things; in a word, they are evil!Baalism·Fertility god- this god will give you fertility, wealth, happiness, joy. But you must stimulate him to action by first copulating, cutting, sacrificing your child. You “arouse” your god to serve you as opposed to submitting to the God who promises to sustain you. Paganism’s gods must be coerced rather than trusted.·Jordan expresses that Baalism is complimentary to secular humanism and evolution. Both are theologies of nature. Baalism seeks to control nature, as does secular humanism. Both say that nature is self existent and bring life through developmental processes (enhanced by our “help”).Jordan also explains that we must understand worship: in the ancient world gods were worshiped (prostration, sacrifice, sacrament); today they are studied (lecture, study, meditation).·Baalism and YHWHism might not have been seen as mutually exclusive. People might see the Lord working out his purpose through Baal & Ashtoreth. He might very well have been one god among many, or even the overarching god. 14-15 The Lord’s reaction·The anger of the Lord burned: Jealous anger, one that will not tolerate being shared.·The people were “sold” to their plunderers: the idea is a hearkening back to Egypt. They became slaves. They were oppressed because of their faithlessness. ·God gives us over to our sins. They worshiped the baals, so they became subject to the baalist leaders and expereinced how horrible Baal’s mastry is.·They were helpless (marching out and harmed): God promised that one would chase a thousand and there enemies would scatter before them, but curse was inability to be successful. We miss the blessing because we love our sin! 16: Saved them·The Lord raised up judges and was “with” the judge – Imanuel principle, ·The word is yasha [Joshua]·The salvation was not fully a heart deliverance though. They were quick to whore after other gods (necessity of the new covenant and the promise of a new heart) 18: God’s pity·It is amazing that God continues to react with pity, even despite their faithlessness (and lack of true repentance). God is that gracious!